Shrugging off a sluggish first half, the Adrian College Bulldogs women's basketball team used defensive pressure to beat the Albion Britons, 61-56, Saturday.

Albion controlled the boards, but the Bulldogs (4-3, 2-0 MIAA) came charging out to start the second half and kept the Britons at bay. The Britons held a 48-31 edge on the boards, including 29 offensive rebounds.

Adrian Coach Kathy Morris said the team had a rough week with exams, some rugged practices and finishing a 10-day layoff.

"This was a testament to our depth," she said. "I'm pleased with how they came through the week."

Adrian jumped out to a 6-0 lead on a three-pointer from Casey Fougerousse and a three-point play by Antoinea McElroy. However, the taller Britons (3-5, 0-3 MIAA) used their to pull even and held a five-point lead for much of the first half. Their largest lead was eight points, 25-17, with 5:06 left in the half.

Adrian chipped away and with a 10-2 run tied the score. Lauren Rhoads hit a pair of free throws and the Bulldogs headed to the locker room with a 29-27 halftime lead. Once they got the lead, the Bulldogs did not give it up for the rest of the game.

In the second half, Adrian stepped up the defensive pressure and gradually extended the lead to 12 points, but had to hold off an Albion comeback attempt. Following an 11-2 run, the Bulldogs were up 58-46 with 2:15 to play.

However, the Britons cut the lead to 58-52 with 48.5 seconds left before Adrian iced the win with free throws. LaQwana Dockery led Adrian with 12 points and McElroy added 10.

"When we are on the same page, we can be pretty good," Morris said. "I just wish we would be on the same page more often."

Brett de Bear was dominant in the game for Albion, leading all scorers with 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Danielle Fraley added 11 points to back her up.

Adrian's leading rebounders were McElroy and Amy Van Gessel with five apiece. Rhoads had seven points, as all 11 Bulldogs who played scored.

Adrian's free throw shooting was another difference in the game. The Bulldogs hit 19-of-29, while Albion hit 10-of-15.

Albion took 68 shots in the game to Adrian's 48. The Bulldogs held the Britons to 34.3 percent shooting in the second half and 32.4 percent for the contest. Adrian hit on 34.6 percent in the first half, but hit 45.5 percent in the second half.